California State Route 175


State Route 175 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California the runs through the Mayacamas Mountains, connecting U.S. Route 101 in Hopland in Mendocino County with State Route 29 in Middletown in Lake County.

Route description

SR 175 connects U.S. Route 101 at Hopland to State Route 29 near Lakeport through the Mayacamas Mountains. From there it joins SR 29 until Kelseyville, where it loops out until meeting SR 29 again at its end at Middletown. The section between Hopland and Lakeport is also known locally as the "Hopland Grade", or "Hopland Pass."
Except for the portion on SR 29, SR 175 is not part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration.

History

Originally constructed in the early 1920s, it is one of the steepest and most difficult to drive of any California state highway. Until recently it was called the "crookedest road in California". Vehicles more than in length are banned from the Hopland Grade, due to its many tight hairpin turns and curves.

Major intersections